2008 BRITISH CYCLO-SPORTIVE CALENDAR

Cyclo-sportives and challenge rides are continuing to boom in the UK, with more events than ever on the calendar. There’s something for everyone here, ranging from rides covering less than 20 miles to multi-day spectaculars taking in over 500 miles.

In the list below we?ve included every cyclo-sportive and challenge ride we can find, plus a number of other events of a slightly different nature that might appeal to the ?sportiviste?.

We?ve covered as many events as possible but no doubt new events and details will spring up through the year.

Keep checking back for further updates.

Have we missed anything out? Let us know by emailing us at cycling@ipcmedia.com.

You can find reviews of many UK rides and cyclo-sportives in our extensive online Rides section.

Sunday February 24

SWRC Early Spring Cyclo-Sportive

Where: Surrey

HQ: Fetcham Village Hall

Distance: 100km

Entry: £8 (£10 on day)

Further info: www.swrc.org.uk

Phil Cooke Challenge

Where: Dunchurch-Towcester-Dunchurch

HQ: Dunchurch Village Hall on A426

Distances: 50km, 100km

Entry: £3

Sunday March 2

The Surrey Rumble

Where: Cobham, Surrey

HQ: St John Ambulance Hall

Distance: 95km, 125km

Entry: £6 (£8 on the day)

Further info: www.everydaycycling.com

Saturday March 8

The Epic Cycles Spring Challenge

Where: Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire

HQ: Epic Cycles, Tenbury Wells

Distance: 50 miles

Entry: £10 (SOLD OUT)

Further info: www.epic-cycles.co.uk

Sunday March 23

Clarion Easter Meet Sportive

Where: Stamford

HQ: Lady Anne’s Hotel, St Martins Without, Stamford

Distances: 50km, 100km, 160km

Entry: £15

Further info: www.clarioncc.org

Monday March 24

London Phoenix Easter Classic

Where: North east of London in Essex, taking in ‘The Easters’ (High Easter and

Do you want your sportive to feature in our calendar? Email the details to cycling@ipcmedia.com

SELECTED FOREIGN RIDES

La Marmotte, July 5

Classic Alpine sportive that finishes on top of Alpe d?Huez. The 174km La Marmotte starts from Bourg d?Oisans and climbs the Col du Glandon and the fearsome Col du Galibier via the Col du Télégraphe, before the final haul up Alpe d?Huez.

Info: www.sportcommunication.com

La Ventoux, June 6

The Ventoux sportive is over three distances. The 144km Master, 97km Senior and 80km Découverte (open to children over 14) start and finish in Beaumes de Venise, climbing to the summit via Malaucene, while the Grimpe du Ventoux starts in Bedoin, and climbs via the more well-known Chalet Reynard route.

Info: www.sportcommunication.com

Maratona dles Dolomites, June 29

The demanding route through the Italian Dolomites makes the Maratona the most spectacular Gran Fondo on the calendar. The three routes, over 138, 106 and 55 kilometres, ascend some of the most spectacular passes in the Dolomites.

Info: www.maratona.it

Gran Fondo Eroica, October 5

The four routes, over 205, 135, 75 and 38 kilometres, wind through the amazing Chianti countryside near Siena, Tuscany, with half of the routes following the dirt roads that twist through this wine-producing region.

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